Florida law requires drivers to stop after a car crash, especially if there is property damage or injury. Unfortunately, not every driver obeys the law, and sometimes people leave the scene without offering their contact information or alerting law enforcement.
When a driver leaves an accident scene without stopping, this is called a hit-and-run. It’s illegal, and it can also leave car accident victims in a tough spot because if the hit-and-run driver was the cause of the crash, then the victims may be entitled to collect compensation from them — which could be impossible if that driver is unknown and can’t be found.
Diaco Law has helped many clients facing this difficult situation. We can work with you to understand the options available for recovering compensation after a hit-and-run accident so you can maximize the money you recover for your losses. Just give us a call at (813) 221-7978 as soon as possible after the accident so we can get to work on getting you justice.
What Are Your Rights After a Tampa Hit-and-Run Accident?
Because Florida is a no-fault state, victims of any accident must turn first to their insurer to get compensation for more minor injuries. You can make a claim on your personal injury protection (PIP) coverage if you were harmed and need help covering medical bills and partial lost wages.
If your injuries are more serious, though, and the amount of your losses exceeds what PIP covers, you should be able to make a claim against the at-fault driver. Unfortunately, if the driver didn’t stop at the crash scene, law enforcement would have to find the driver first before you can take action.
If the driver is identified, there’s also a serious risk that the driver may not have insurance coverage. After all, there’s usually a reason why someone leaves the scene — and not having insurance coverage is a common one.
If it turns out the driver wasn’t insured, even if they are found, it may not be worth pursuing a damage claim from them if they don’t have enough assets to pay you. It does you little good to win your case, only to find you can’t collect a judgment from a driver with no assets and too little insurance.
When a driver isn’t found or doesn’t have coverage, you may also be able to collect compensation from your insurer above and beyond what PIP covers if you have uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage. This policy can pay for the damages the other driver should have been responsible for covering, up to your policy limits.
How can a Tampa hit-and-run accident attorney help?
Diaco Law has a long history of helping clients who have been in accidents with drivers who have left the scene. Our Tampa hit and run accident attorneys can assist you in:
- Identifying all defendants who may be responsible. For example, if a defect in your vehicle made injuries worse or if poorly designed roads were a contributing accident cause, there may be others who are responsible for covering losses besides the driver who left the scene.
- Helping you to deal with your own insurer in a personal injury protection (PIP) or uninsured motorist claim to make sure you maximize the compensation available to you.
- Working with you to determine if you should make a claim against the at-fault driver if they are found and, if so, making a very strong case so you can get the money you deserve from their insurer.
Contact Diaco Law Today
Diaco Law can handle all of these tasks and more, so give us a call at (813) 221-7978 today to schedule a free consultation and speak with a Tampa hit-and-run accident attorney now.